Snubber-vibration damper system for a bearingless main rotor

Abstract

A flexbeam rotor system includes an intermediate tube and a torque tube that envelopes a flexbeam in spaced relation thereto. The torque tube is connected to the flexbeam at its radially outer end and articulately connected to the intermediate tube through a snubber-vibration damper system. The torque tube is connected with an aerodynamic rotor blade member. The snubber vibration damper system includes a snubber bearing and an independent lead/lag bearing. The snubber bearing is located between the flexbeam and the intermediate tube along a pitch change axis. A lead/lag bearing is mounted between the intermediate tube and the torque tube on both the leading and trailing portion of blade assembly. Pitch/lag coupling complications are minimized as lead/lag motion takes place between the torque tube and the intermediate tube. As lead/lag motion is accommodated in the independent lead/lag bearing, the snubber bearing is of a greatly reduced height in relation to conventional design. The overall size of the torque tube is accordingly reduced which advantageously reduces system weight and drag.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.